Lecture 1

The development of industrial ecology is an attempt to provide a new conceptual framework for understanding the impacts of industrial systems on the environment. This new framework serves to identify and then implement strategies to reduce the environmental impacts of products and processes associated with industrial systems, with an ultimate goal of sustainable development.

Industrial ecology is the study of the physical, chemical, and biological interactions and interrelationships both within and between industrial and ecological systems.

Additionally, some researchers feel that industrial ecology involves identifying and implementing strategies for industrial systems to more closely emulate harmonious, sustainable, ecological ecosystems.

Environmental problems are systemic and thus require a systems approach so that the connections between industrial practices/human activities and environmental / ecological processes can be more readily recognized. A systems approach provides a holistic view of environmental problems, making them easier to identify and solve; it can highlight the need for and advantages of achieving sustainability. Table 1 depicts hierarchies of political, social, industrial, and ecological systems.

Table 1: organizational hierarchies

Political Entities	Social Organizations	Industrial Organizations	Industrial Systems	Ecological Systems
UNEP	World population	ISO	Global human material	Ecosphere
U.S. (EPA, DOE)	Cultures	Trade associations	and energy flows	Biosphere
State of Michigan (Michigan DEQ)	Communities Product systems	Corporations Divisions	Sectors (e.g., transportation or health care)	Biogeogra-phical region
Washtenaw County	Households	Product development teams	Corporations/institutions	Biome landscape
City of Ann Arbor	Individuals/ Consumers		Product systems	Ecosystem
Individual Voter		Individuals	Life cycle stages/unit steps	Organism

Source: Keoleian et al., Life Cycle Design Framework and Demonstration Projects (Cincinnati: U.S. EPA Risk Reduction Engineering Lab, 1995), 17.

Industrial ecology studies the interaction between different industrial systems as well as between industrial systems and ecological systems. The focus of study can be at different system levels.

One goal of industrial ecology is to change the linear nature of our industrial system, where raw materials are used and products, by-products, and wastes are produced, to a cyclical system where the wastes are reused as energy or raw materials for another product or process. The Kalundborg, Denmark, eco-industrial park represents an attempt to create a highly integrated industrial system that optimizes the use of byproducts and minimizes the waste that leaves the system.

Figure 1 shows the symbiotic nature of the Kalundborg park.

Fundamental to industrial ecology is identifying and tracing flows of energy and materials through various systems. This concept, sometimes referred to as industrial metabolism, can be utilized to follow material and energy flows, transformations, and dissipation in the industrial system as well as into natural systems.

The mass balancing of these flows and transformations can help to identify their negative impacts on natural ecosystems. By quantifying resource inputs and the generation of residuals and their fate, industry and other stakeholders can attempt to minimize the environmental burdens and optimize the resource efficiency of material and energy use within the industrial system.